[MUSIC] What exactly are we talking about when we talk about diversity in the workplace? Diversity is a general term. And a concept that doesn't inherently exist in some languages. Which basically connotes different elements. A term used in biology to describe the variety of species found in nature, and the importance of biodiversity for the well-being of the planet. The term has been applied to thinking about social differences in a similar way, presenting differences as something that is not only natural, but essential to social and organizational well being. The managerial issues that come under the diversity umbrella were not always associated with the term. Diversity, as applied to the variety of social categories present in the work place, is a fairly recent phenomenon. As mentioned previously in A Brief History in Diversity, work on diversity in the workplace began in the US under the heading of civil rights and the right to equal opportunities. During this time, terms such as inequality, desegregation and discrimination were widely used. And the term diversity had not yet seen the light of day. In this period, programs to correct past inequalities, such as affirmative action, also appeared. It was only with the increasing backlash to these practices that the term diversity emerged. As a consequence of equal opportunities, the dominant social group was being blamed for past social inequalities, was being re-educated through corporate training programs, and felt they were losing their privileges through affirmative action programs. As tensions became palpable there was a repackaging of these management issues under the term cultural diversity. Which was seen as more inclusive, bringing together interests not only of minority and underrepresented groups, but also of the dominant social group. More recently we use integration and inclusion to talk about diversity issues with an increasing preference for inclusion. Integration refers to bringing diverse elements into the organization and helping to make them feel comfortable within the shared organizational culture. In other words, treat others as you want to be treated yourself. Inclusion takes into account the identities and preferences of individuals, so that they are able to excel and contribute towards collective organizational objectives. This may be rephrased as treat others as they want to be treated. Do you see the subtle difference there? Within a firm, the first is a top-down approach to differences in which the emphasis is placed on accompanying individuals to learn the organizational ropes. The second is focused more on individuals and how to respect and recognize their characteristics and qualities. Whereas diversity by itself connotes bringing differences together and creating a diverse working environment, inclusion focuses more on the interactions and how to make diversity work. We could say that diversity is more about the numbers, with programs like diversity quotas that try to numerically diversify the workplace. Inclusion addresses organizational culture, group interactions and dynamics, and individual level attitudes and behaviors. Nowadays, many firms refer to diversity and inclusion in the same breath, and perceive the two as inseparable. The flip sides of the same coin.